Palmer hangs on to Lotus race seat chance for 2016

Lotus reserve driver Jolyon Palmer believes he is being considered for a full-time drive with the team next season.

Deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi recently indicated that both Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean have secure contracts with Lotus for 2016, with Lotus keen to keep Palmer as reserve.

But on the back of some strong Friday FP1 performances, in which the reigning GP2 champion has been consistently faster than Madonado, the British driver has been told that an opening to graduate to a race seat next year may exist.

“I don’t want to be a test driver again next year," Palmer told Sky Sports. "My aim is still to be racing with Lotus and that is why I am here for the year to be racing. I have been told there could be an opportunity so I just have to try my best and show the team why they should take me.

“There is not much more to say, I am getting some time in the car, so at least I am getting an opportunity and as far I am aware there could be a chance so I am just trying to grab it with both hands.”

Click here for a look at the technical updates brought to the British Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Grégory Demoen

Recent Posts

Wolff backs FIA push to give Honda a helping hand

Toto Wolff has thrown his weight behind Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s efforts to keep Fernando Alonso…

39 minutes ago

Piastri salvages silver ling despite Madrid misery

Spain was supposed to be a weekend of consolidation for McLaren, but for Oscar Piastri,…

16 hours ago

Audi junior Slater lands 2027 F2 seat with powerhouse Invicta

Freddie Slater’s rapid rise through the junior ranks is taking another significant step forward, with…

17 hours ago

Lawson opens up on the ‘tricky’ challenge of Red Bull double duty

Liam Lawson has spent the past three Formula 1 weekends with an unusual problem: preparing…

19 hours ago

Mekies defends Verstappen order: ‘Better to take the pain’

Laurent Mekies says Red Bull had little choice but to order Max Verstappen to hand…

20 hours ago

A wet-to-dry masterclass performance at Spa, à la Senna

On this day in 1985, Ayrton Senna won the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, skillfully…

22 hours ago